Ka Nenet, with her nonchalant demeanor sitting atop piles of sack of rice from their warehouse cannot hide the pride she felt during her narration of the history of Tumbaga, its struggles and triumphs. Ms. Margarita Sarmiento aka Ka Nenet (Warehouse Manager) has all the right to be pleased since Tumbaga 1 - Bucal Irrigators Association is probably one of the most famous Irrigators’ Association in the country.
Its office is located in Barangay Tumbaga 1, Sariaya, Quezon and is the showcase of NIA Region IV-A having been visited not only by other IAs within and outside the region but also cooperatives, private organizations and other government agencies as well as visitors from other countries.
As ka Nenet narrates, Tumbaga 1-Bucal IA started as just part of proposed area for a communal irrigation project together with their adjacent barangay – Barangay Pili. However, the project was brought to a halt even before it started because of the right-of-way problem in Brgy. Pili, its farmers decided eventually to withdraw from the project. Tumbaga farmers showed their determination and willingness to handle accountability when they decided to continue on with the project accepting all responsibilities.
Thus, born the Tumbaga Irrigators Association who has been formally organized in 1978 under the tie-up program of NIA for technical assistance and FSDC for institutional assistance. They have sought for a regular source of irrigation and been granted not only that but also the opportunity to better their lives by taking full advantage of their improved agricultural system.
Their first NIA irrigation project was completed and turned over in 1987 payable in 15 years or up to Year 2002. Early on, this IA have already shown remarkable diligence, hard work, courage and determination to succeed through their ability to responsibly manage their system and their refusal to incur debts. Their very first amortization payment is 6 months ahead on its amortization due date and they were among the very first IA to avail the incentive covered by NIA MC 27 s. 1991 which (among others include) the payment of 30% of the remaining balance of the cost of construction / rehabilitation of a communal irrigation system. They have paid out of their own pockets and in turn been rewarded the Certificate of Full Ownership of Tumbaga CIS in 1992, 10 years advance on its amortization period.
Tumbaga IA believe that they were able to achieved this because of the discipline in the implementation of their O&M policies they have established and been duly followed by the members. They were able to implement and adopt the - Downstream First Policy; Ratooning; and Crop Diversification.
Good deed attracts good fate, other government institutions took notice of Tumbaga IA, and they have been sought and included in various development programs.
Barangay Tumbaga is also one of the recipients of P.D. 27 which is the Emancipation of Tenants from the Bondage of Soil - that paved the way for their farmers to own the land they till.
With these interventions, having regular source of irrigation water supply, coupled with improved farm technologies; and the awareness of owning the land they till, their yield have increased from 40 cavans/hectare to 120 cavans/hectare – the way to a better life not only for Tumbaga IA but to the whole community has opened up.
Truly, heaven is kind to them even when typhoons damaged their irrigation system – these calamities were turn into a blessings. In 1998, as an Agrarian Reform Community prioritized for funding under ARISP I, Tumbaga’s irrigation system was not only rehabilitated but also included in the project - were Post Harvest Facilities (PHF) that consists of a warehouse which has a capacity of 7,500 cavans equipped with an IA office and a solar dryer located in a 900 sq.m. land donated by the kind hearted members of Tumbaga IA - Mr. & Mrs. Buenaventura Oñate. To date, they have fully paid the 30% equity for PHF and are advance in payment for their current CIS amortization.
Because of this good performance, NIA approved other system rehabilitations to improve their irrigation system. This include Construction of Teruvian Intake wherein once again they have availed incentive under MC 27, s. 91 and have paid the 30% of cost with the support of the Local Government of Sariaya. Dam rehabilitation was also undertaken at Masay Creek and Construction of Ogee Dam at Bioy Creek was carried out increasing their irrigable area by 30 hectares which on wet season 2011 has a recorded benefited area of 185.13 hectares with a total number of 196 farmer-beneficiaries. Tumbaga IA has also been renamed Tumbaga I - Bucal Irrigators Association to accommodate/include the added area.
As a result, irrigation services improved and agri-business opportunities followed suit like palay and rice trading. Tumbaga I- Bucal IA is also fortunate to have acquired a Flatbed Dryer (through the collaborative efforts of DA, BPRE and NIA) in which they rent out - contributing as another source of income. Other sources include production and selling of organic fertilizers (vermiculture); rental of chairs; and carabao/hog/chicken dispersal. They are also into natural farming technology wherein their white and black rice, as well as their organic vegetables - are one of their added attractions. Waste segregation is also practice by this IA with which they give serious importance believing in the value of a clean, well-managed environment.
Moreover, they took on the Rice Production Program of the Land Bank of the Philippines which they have successfully implemented. Tumbaga I - Bucal IA also appreciates and fully supports the NFA’s Palay Procurement Program that assures good price for their palay plus additional income from the incentives under said program.
They hope to improve their office by having it repainted and air conditioned to be presentable to numerous visitors that flocked in their area whom they have always humbly received with graciousness and hospitality.
The capacity and openness of Tumbaga I Bucal Irrigators Association to seek, believe and appreciate various development programs of the government and other institutions as well as their firm and resolute implementation of their O&M policies are probably the key to success of this IA. Their willingness to share the burden and benefit for various projects offered to them unlocked the door for other opportunities to come their way.
However, as in any other organization – they have also encountered conflicts, difficulties, setbacks, crisis but they have managed to push through them all and learned along the way.
As a result, Tumbaga I - Bucal Irrigators Association had been the recipient of numerous awards from various institutions with around 40 awards - foremost of which is the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award wherein they have bagged the P1million worth of project grant. The have finally acquire their dream Elf Truck which is vital to their various businesses particularly in their palay and rice trading. They have also been a recipient of a Rice Processing Center constructed on their newly purchased lot adjacent to their office.
Other awards include: Hall of Fame award for CARP Most Outstanding Irrigators Association and Hall of Fame award for NIA Regional Most Outstanding Irrigators Association (2001-2012); CY 2014 Gawad-Saka Awardee (Provincial & Regional Level); CY 2013 5th Runner-up for NIA Search for Outstanding IA (National Level); DOLE Natatanging IA; MAFC Gawad ng Pagkilala, Gawad Pitak 2009 by Land Bank of the Philippines; Most Outstanding CARP Irrigators Association for CY 2007, among others.
Of course, commendable efforts is worth mentioning for all past and present officers of Tumbaga IA particularly their first IA President – Mr. Francisco Rosaria who have clearly lead them into what they are now; the nurturing support and guidance of NIA Regional Office; the assistance and encouragement of the Local Government of Sariaya, Quezon; support of the Department of Agriculture, Dept. Of Agrarian Reform/CARP-IC/ARISP, Land Bank of the Philippines; and other government and private institutions – and most importantly their belief and faith to the Almighty God, contributed much to the success of Tumbaga I Bucal Irrigators Association.
With all of this achievements, Ka Nenet still believe that they have a long way to go, they have been tested by trials and challenges but have remained strong, standing on solid foundation that can be relied on by generations to come.